Deliver treatments to animals

This standard is about delivering treatments to animals.
The word 'treatments' includes both preventative and prescriptive medications and basic healthcare treatments.
You will need to be aware of your own limitations and ensure that you meet the legal responsibilities for providing a duty of care under the relevant animal health and welfare legislation.
This standard is suitable for anyone who delivers treatments to animals.

1. Assess the risk associated with delivering treatments to animals.
2. Carry out all work in accordance with workplace procedures and instructions.
3. Carry out all work in accordance with the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, associated codes of practice and organisation policies.
4. Carry out all work in accordance with the relevant animal health and welfare, animal-related legislation, associated codes of practice and the legal limitations of the current Veterinary Surgeons Act.
5. Select and wear suitable clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) when delivering treatments to animals.
6. Select, prepare, use and maintain the required equipment safely in accordance with the relevant legislation, manufacturers guidelines and organisational policies.
7. Prepare the work area, in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and organisational policies.
8. Maintain hygiene and bio-security in accordance with workplace instructions, organisational policy and the relevant legislation.
9. Restrain an animal in a way that reduces stress and maintains their health and welfare.
10. Use and store drugs, medications and the equipment used to deliver basic treatments to animals, in accordance with the relevant legislation, veterinary or manufacturer’s instructions and the practices of your organisation.
11. Use current and uncontaminated prescribed medication for the intended animal.
12. Use the correct practices and techniques to deliver the specified treatment, at the correct time and in accordance with workplace instructions.
13. Seek immediate assistance when it is not possible to deliver treatment to the animal.
14. Minimise discomfort and provide aftercare to animals following treatment.
15. Observe animals after treatment and report any concerns with the animal’s health and well-being to the relevant person.
16. Maintain communication with all those involved in or affected by your work.
17. Deal with waste safely and correctly in accordance with workplace instructions, organisational policy and the relevant legislation.
18. Complete records as required by the relevant legislation and organisational policy.

1. How to identify hazards and assess the risks when delivering treatments to animals.
2. The importance of completing an activity in accordance with workplace procedures and instructions.
3. Your responsibilities under the relevant animal health and welfare and animal-related legislation and associated codes of practice, and the legal limitations of the current Veterinary Surgeons Act.
4. Your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, associated codes of practice and organisation policies.
5. The type of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable for the activity.
6. The types of tools and equipment required to deliver treatments to animals and how to maintain, use and store these safely and correctly.
7. The importance of preparing the work area, in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and organisational practice.
8. The different types of treatments for animals and how to deliver these.
9. The importance of maintaining hygiene and bio-security and how this can be achieved.
10. The significance of expiry dates on drugs and medications.
11. The possible sources of contamination to medication and how to identify any damage to medication.
12. The potential consequences of not following the workplace procedures and instruction for carrying out treatments.
13. How to handle and restrain the animal, when required, in order to deliver treatments, and when assistance may be required.
14. The reasons and relevant legislative requirements for "withdrawal periods" from some treatments and the consequences of not following such withdrawal periods.
15. How to handle, store and dispose of waste in accordance with relevant legal and organisation requirements.
16. Any changes in the condition of the animal, which may occur after the treatment.
17. Why it is necessary to monitor the behaviour of an animal after treatment and report any concerns to the relevant person.
18. The relevant legal and manufacturer’s requirements for the use and storage of medication and the equipment used to deliver treatments to animals.
19. The importance of maintaining communication with those involved in, or affected by, your work and how this should be done.
20. The limits of your responsibility and ability in relation to health problems in animals and the delivery of treatments.
21. The records that need to be kept in relation to delivering treatments and the importance of completing them, in accordance with the relevant legislation and organisational policy.

Current animal welfare legislation:
England and Wales, Animal Welfare Act
Scotland, Animal Health and Welfare Act
Northern Ireland, Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland)
Veterinary Surgeons Act